Dr. Sylvia Walker - A Guiding Light

 Disability history would be incomplete without delving into academia and policy development. These figures are often unknown by name, though their work permeates through every corner of society. Today's post is about Dr. Sylvia Walker, an extremely accomplished researcher and policy advocate. She was influential in forming the Americans with Disabilities Act and advised President Clinton on employment policies. She used her delightful blend of intelligence and humor to change the lives of people of color with disabilities.

 

Sylvia, undated

Harriet Tubman - An Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove

After many posts where there is an extreme lack of information, this one was a change of pace! The problem was now too much information to sift through. Harriet Tubman does have entire books written about her and you could certainly teach a course just focused on her. I tried to write as comprehensive of a post as I could about her without making it ridiculously long. Harriet is one of the most well-known Black American historical figures, and for good reason. Though she died 110 years ago, her story of fortitude in extreme circumstances will long outlast even those who are reading this now.

Harriet, 1895